Organ donation target reached early

Almost 8,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant. Photograph: Stephen Kelly/PA

A call to double the number of people on the organ donor register to 16 million has been achieved a year early, figures released today show.

More than one in four (26%) people in the UK have now pledged to donate their organs after death, according to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

In 2001, the then health secretary Alan Milburn urged people to sign up to double the number of donors, from eight million to 16 million by 2010.

In 2001, 5,532 people were waiting for a transplant. This has now increased to almost 8,000 and is rising, NHSBT said.

Since January 2001, 23,551 organ transplants have been carried out using donor organs, but at least 4,500 people died while waiting for a transplant.

Lynda Hamlyn, chief executive of NHSBT, said: "Reaching 16 million a year before planned is testament to the support that exists for donation in the UK.

"More than a quarter of the population have demonstrated their commitment by signing the register.

"But, with almost 8,000 people in the UK currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, we need to do more.

"Around 3,000 organ transplants take place in this country every year, but during the same period approximately 1,000 people – three a day – die while waiting because of the shortage of donated organs.

"Please join the NHS organ donor register.

"If you have already signed up, please talk to your friends and relatives about doing so.

"Every time someone joins, they offer the possibility of transforming someone else's life."

Most organ donations take place after death, but around a third of kidney transplants involve a living donor, usually a family member or partner.

Health minister Ann Keen said: "It is fantastic news that 16 million people have put their names on the organ donor register."

Organ donation can be pledged through driving licence applications, registering with a new GP, the Boots Advantage Card, passport applications, a number of local authority smartcard schemes and through the European health insurance card.

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